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Status of Improper Disposal of Sulfate Pitch

June 15, 2005

The Ministry of the Environment compiled the data on the status of the confirmed illegal dumping and improper storage (hereinafter referred to as "improper disposal") of sulfate pitch for the second half of FY2004 (from October 1, 2004 to March 31, 2005) with the cooperation of prefectural governments and cities with health centers.

1.

Number of cases and quantity of improper disposal of sulfate pitch

Improper disposals of sulfate pitch confirmed during the period were 21 cases and 1,837 barrels (quantity converted in terms of metal barrel). Compared to the first half of FY2004 (from April 1 to September 30, 2004), both the number and the quantity decreased from 39 cases and 7,662 barrels respectively.

The quantity of improper disposal in each fiscal year is 2,461 barrels in FY 2000, 5,629 barrels in FY 2001, 15,837 barrels in FY 2002, 28,368 barrels in FY 2003, and 9,499 barrels in FY 2004. (Table 1)

2.

Breakdown of improper disposal of sulfate pitch by nature

Looking at improper disposals confirmed by the end of FY 2004, breakdown of improper disposals by nature is illegal dumping 48% and improper storage 49% for number of cases, as for quantity 26% and 66% respectively.

3.

Perpetrators of improper disposal of sulfate pitch

Majority of improper disposal cases confirmed by the end of FY 2004 was offense committed by businesses who generate sulfate pitch (hereinafter referred to as "the sulfate pitch generators" recording 30%, followed by 20% made up by multiple perpetrators including discharging businesses and collection/transportation operators (including non-authorized operators). As for the quantity of improper disposal, multiple perpetrators including sulfate pitch generators and collection/transportation operators (including non-authorized operators) accounted for 31 %, followed by 20% contributed by sulfate pitch generators. (Table 2)

4.

Status of response to the improper disposal of sulfate pitch

Among the improper disposal cases confirmed by the end of FY 2004, 71% are fully treated, 10% are partially treated, and 19% are not treated at all. In quantity wise, 71% are fully treated and 29% are not treated. (Fig. 1)

5.

Parties undertaking the response to the improper disposal of sulfate pitch

The parties undertaking responses to the improper disposal of sulfate pitch mentioned in 4 above, 28% of cases are done by the sulfate pitch generators, followed by 24 % by local municipalities (administrative subrogation). In terms of quantity, on the contrary, administrative subrogation by local municipalities is the highest, which is 31%, and 24 % is treated by the sulfate pitch generator. (Table 3)

6.

Status of issuance of order for action, administrative subrogation, etc.

Among the improper disposal cases (227 cases, 61,794 barrels) confirmed by the end of FY 2004, orders for action were issued to 61 cases. Among these 61 cases, administrative subrogation was conducted to 49 cases (16,821 barrels).

In addition to the status of improper disposal of sulfate pitch, the status of sludge (residue of additives such as activated clay and active carbon, for refining light oil in illegal manufacturing) is also surveyed. The survey indicated that improper disposal of sludge amounted 187 cases and quantity of improper disposal was 46,990 barrels (quantity converted in terms of metal barrel).